Our foremothers, way too embarrassed to discuss the formidable symptoms of peri-menopause, faced them alone. As recently as a few years back, the cessation of the monthly cycle triggered substantial anxiety and consternation within the mature female community. In fact, it was a subject so taboo that blue-haired ladies only discussed it in hushed whispers when they were certain no one could overhear. Although menstruation was never a hot topic for mixed company, women could never broach the matter of the demise of their periods with anyone other than their closest girlfriends.